Have you ever considered the negative environmental impact of the clothes you wear? The average American disposes and throws away approximately 81 pounds of clothing a year, and most of it ends up in landfills. Synthetic materials such as polyester take centuries to decompose and often release toxic fumes as they break down. So what can we do to reduce our impact on the environment? One solution is to switch to sustainable clothing.
Sustainable clothing is clothing that is created using environmentally friendly methods, and it can be made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo fiber, and hemp. Sustainable clothing is not only better for the planet and environment but also for our health. Here are three reasons we should all switch to sustainable clothing.
There are a lot of problems with the environment going on these days, such as climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, etc. But to give an essential little piece of information, the clothing industry is one of the most significant contributors to the planet and environmental damage. But need now worry; sustainable fashion solves all the issues. Let’s look at how sustainable fashion saves the environment and why should we shift to sustainable clothing?
Sustainable clothing saves Nature-
A study shows that in making a new piece of clothing, 97% of the materials used are new resources, and only 2-3% of it can be recycled. In the fabric, many chemicals are added to dye it and give a good finish, fertilizers to grow the cotton, and oil to make synthetic fibers. Thus recycled fibers are a sustainable option as it solves waste management issues.
Sustainable clothing reduces the Carbon Footprint-
The fashion industry emits many greenhouse gasses which leads to global warming. Almost all the clothes are made of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, nylon. These materials require more energy for production than natural materials. Sustainable materials require less chemicals, less water, almost no fertilizers and no chemicals to grow. Organic fabrics are hemp, linen, and organic cotton. These fabrics are environmentally friendly and a great sustainable alternative for the planet. Thus, it is essential to shift to sustainable women’s clothing.
Sustainable clothing requires less water-
Water is one of the most used resources for the clothing industry, and it is used in the dyeing process for all clothes. A study says that 2700 liters of water are used in making a single t-shirt. But organic cotton requires 91% less water than traditional cotton, and even other sustainable fabrics also need less water for production.
Sustainable clothing is healthier for the Planet & People-
Fast fashion clothes that are unsustainable often undergo long chemical processes to get them dyed and bleached. These processes cause incredibly harmful effects on farmers and their children. Our skin also absorbs these chemicals, thus being a danger to our health. Always have a habit of washing the garments before putting them on.
Sustainable clothing teaches us to love our clothes again-
Almost all consumers purchase the clothing as an impulsive decision. They see a gorgeous piece of clothing on the hanger in a store and buy it. What they don’t think here is the story behind it, the story of manufacturing it. We should not change our clothes every season but instead, be responsible humans and change them only when needed. We need to choose if we want to be part of the problem or the solution.
Final Thoughts-
So, what’s the takeaway? If you want to do your part in helping make a difference for the planet, start by looking into sustainable clothing brands. It can be as simple as making the switch to organic cotton T-shirts or shopping at a thrift store instead of buying new clothes all the time. And if you want to up your sustainability game, think about ways you can repair and reuse old clothes rather than tossing them out. With a little effort on our part, we can all make a significant impact on sustainability. For more such tips, head onto GoodGuilt’s website. GoodGuilt features more such tips on becoming sustainable and saving the planet. It also features brands that promote sustainability.